Auto Repair Shop Direct Mail Helps Owners Thrive in Tough Economy

A few years ago, Greg Sands turned his more than 15 years of industry experience as owner of 20 national auto service centers into a new business venture that aims to help other struggling auto repair store operators keep their businesses afloat.

In 2008, Sands founded Mudlick Mail, which offers Direct Mail Services for several hundred automotive repair shops nationally. Mudlick Mail grew out of Sand's realization that the "standard direct mail" approach was not effectively reaching his target audience. Mudlick Mail distinguishes itself from other auto repair shop direct mail providers by offering strategically developed mailing lists that can target high-caliber customers by income, geographic area and even specific car model ownership. Mudlick also provides free, Web-based training on customer service, staffing and other parts of the business that will help shop owners retain new customers.

Three years ago, Chris and Heather Carney were close to giving up on the automotive repair shop they'd owned for more than two decades. Deeply in debt and failing to generate enough revenue to cover expenses, the couple turned to Mudlick Mail for help. Sands evaluated the Carneys' business, suggesting new customer service practices, employee training programs and marketing initiatives. As a result, the Carney's just celebrated the highest sales month in their 26-year history, and monthly sales have doubled since they adopted Sands' strategies, according to Mudlick.

"If we hadn't met Greg, we wouldn't still be in business," said Heather Carney, co-owner of CARNEEDS in Paducah, KY.

The couple says a major factor in CARNEEDS' success is the direct mail program provided by Mudlick Mail. The demographically targeted program is includes graphic design services, printing, listing services, postage and delivery for one flat fee.

Sands and Mudlick President Tim Ross have more than 17 years experience as successful advertisers in the automotive industry. Through Mudlick Mail, they say they've helped hundreds of shop owners all over the country improve their advertising results by sharing their techniques and strategies for serving customers who respond to direct mail advertising efforts.

"Our goal is to take what we've learned from our wealth of experience in the automotive service business and apply that knowledge to help other shop owners succeed," said Sands. "We know first-hand what works, so our customers don't waste money on marketing that isn't effective."

Mudlick Mail says it does everything for its clients, providing artwork, carrier route selection, printing, labeling, postage and trucking.

"Our marketing is on auto-pilot," said Heather Carney. "It's like clockwork every month."

Mike Veenstra, owner of Veenstra's Garage in Grand Rapids, MI, said his sales have risen by 10 to 20 percent since implementing a consistent direct mail program. Mudlick Mail customer Bob Hicks, of Golden Rule Automotive in Covington, GA, reports an annual sales increase of 32 percent and expects his repair shop direct mail to help him reach the long-awaited $1 million mark in sales.

About the Author

Source: Mudlick Mail

iGODirect Group - A Specialist Direct Marketing Services Provider

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Modular Home History

Modular Home History

From 1908-1940, Sears, Roebuck and Company sold more than 100,000 homes through their mail order program Modern Homes. During that time Sears designed 447 different housing styles, the development multistory Ivanhoe, with its elegant French doors and windows, art glass, the simple goldenrod, which served as a quaint, three bedroom, no bath, home for summer vacationers. (A latrine can be purchased separately for Goldenrod and similar home residents.) Customers can choose a house to suit their tastes and budgets.

Sears was not an innovative home designer. Sears was a very capable follower of popular home designs, but with the added advantage of modifying houses and hardware according to buyer tastes. Individuals could even design their own homes and submit the plans to Sears, which then would for sale out of court and appropriate pre-installed materials, putting the home owner in full creative control. Modern Home customers had the freedom to build their own dream houses, and Sears helped realize these dreams through quality custom design and favorable financing.

Design of a Sears Home

The process of home design began as soon as Sears Catalog Homes Modern came to his door. Over time, modern houses catalogs came to announce three lines of houses, for different customers financial means: Honor Stone, Stone Sectional simple standard.

Honor Bilt homes were the finest quality and most expensive sold by Sears. Beams, posts and beams were to be separated 14 3 / 8 inches. coating cypress and cedar shingles adorned attractive than Honor Bilt exteriors. And, depending on the room interiors occurs (ie, without knots) clear grade floor and interior trim made of pine, oak or maple. Sears catalogs also reported that Standard Built homes were best for warmer climates, it which means they do not retain heat very well. Simple Sectional line, as its name suggests, contains simple designs. simplex houses were frequently only a couple of rooms and were ideal for vacation homes.

While browsing the Image Bank, you can see many houses partially or even closely resemble a house he owns or has seen. Look closely, because the plant can be reversed, an attic may have been added, or that the original buyer opted for brick for lining wood. Plumbing may appear to be added after the construction or storm windows may appear in the house but not in the picture in the catalog.

All this and more is possible, because the Modern Homes program encouraged as the design of houses, even the color of the cabinets of hardware. The difficulty in identifying a Sears house is only a reflection of its unique design and taste of the original purchaser (see FAQs).

Construction

As mentioned earlier, Sears was not an innovator in the techniques of home design and construction, however, modern home designs offered several advantages over other construction methods. The ability of mass production of materials used in Sears homes decreased manufacturing costs, reducing procurement costs from customers. Not only short pre and materials provided to reduce construction time up to 40%, but the use of Sears of "balloon style" framing, drywall and asphalt shingles greatly facilitated the construction of home buyers.

Style balloon framing. These processing systems do not require a team of skilled carpenters, as previous methods did. Balloon frames were built faster and generally requires only a carpenter. This system uses precut wood 2_4s 2_8s mostly standard for framing. precut wood parts, equipment, the convenience of having everything, including the nails, shipped by rail directly to the customer added greatly to the popularity of frame style.

Plaster. Before drywall, plaster and lathe construction techniques for walls were used, which in turn requires carpenters qualified. Sears homes took advantage of the material of new housing construction of gypsum for sending large quantities of inexpensive manufactured goods with the rest construction materials. Plaster offering advantages of lower prices, ease of installation, and added security protection against fire. Also was a good fit for the square design of Sears homes.

Asphalt shingles. It was during the program of modern homes that large quantities of asphalt shingles became available. The alternative roofing materials available include, among others, tin and wood. Tin was noisy during storms, it seemed unattractive and requires a skilled roofer, while wood was highly flammable. Asphalt shingles, however, were cheap to manufacture and ship, as well as easy and inexpensive to install. The asphalt had the added incentive of being fireproof.

Modern amenities

Sears helped to popularize the latest technology available for modern home buyers in the early part of the twentieth century. Central heating, running water and electricity were all new developments in home design modern homes built, but not all houses were designed with these conveniences. No central heating only improves the habitability of homes with little insulation, but also improves fire safety, always a concern in an age homes burning threatened whole cities, in the case of the Chicago Fire. indoor plumbing and electricity cable homes were the first steps towards modern kitchens and bathrooms. Sears Modern Homes program was aware of any technology that could make life easier for home buyers and gave them the option of designing your home with modern comforts in mind.

About the Author

Building Systems Network Awards

Excellence in Marketing & Model Home

DESIGN AWARDS – Grant Smereczynsky takes home 3 First Place Awards!

The Building Systems Council presented the 2003 Excellence in Marketing & Model Home Design Awards on November 3, 2003 at the annual convention held in Hot Springs, Virginia at The Homestead.

Grant Smereczynsky, former builder with Cougar and currently CEO/Builder of the Building Systems Network, LLC accepted three first place awards for his contribution and commitment to the Systems Built industry:

Awards received:

Winner – Associate Member Web Site
Winner – NAHB Builder Member Consumer Publication Print Ad
Winner – NAHB Builder Member CD-Rom/DVD
On October 3, 2003, Grant Smereczynsky officially launched The Building Systems Network, LLC

Smereczynsky says, “As a builder, I believe the systems built home is the best built home in the industry. Period. I’m continuing to market and promote the systems built industry to the homebuyer in a clean, consistent and easy to use manner. Our tagline indicates that “construction is improved through technology” and that is the message we want to promote to site builders and to the homebuyer”.

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New York World's Best Chef Recipes bat Elegant Self Published Book

When in New York can never run out of places to eat due to high culture diversified food. Each area has its own flavor to say - Chinatown, Brooklyn, East and Greenwich Village, Harlem, Gramercy Park, Lower and Upper East Side, Lincoln, Center, Little Italy, meatpacking and Theater Districts, The Bronx Chelsea, Tribeca, Queens, unique historic Soho.

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About the Author
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New York, chef for Life is the third most recent book and Khanna. His other two books are Cooking with Gandhi and the History of Spices from India, which is also self-published with Xlibris.

About Xlibris
Xlibris was founded in 1997 and in its lead editorial services provider for authors, has helped to publish more than 20,000 titles. Xlibris is based in Bloomington, IN and provides authors with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, use leather-bound format, full color.

For more information, please visit the web site publisher of books, e-mail pressrelease@xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4247 to receive a free publishing guide.

About the Author

Xlibris is a book publisher founded in 1997 and, as the leading publishing services provider for authors, has helped to publish more than 20,000 titles. Xlibris is based in Bloomington, IN and provides authors with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound, and full-color formats.

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Is it profitable to your site or just a brochure expensive luxury future

Most websites are just expensive electronic brochures that do very little or anything by the company.

It is strange how the business sense seems to go out the window when it comes to Internet and World Wide Web.

The Internet protocol (IP) offered by many companies - especially the SME sector - the chance to improve their productivity and profitability dramatically. But many see it as "very difficult" or "too expensive" or just "not [want some?] understand."

They have been without But convinced that "should have a website or who are not even in the game."

However, while too many businesses' that have made ignore the opportunities offered by IP at a reasonable cost, once you have built your site, proceed to ignore it!

It is very strange. How many businesses say?

* "We will build a new store and then leave blank"

* "Let's plan a direct mail campaign to buy the whole kit and then do not bother to buy stamps to send ';

* "We will pay for the shares and then simply save it.

However, these are the equivalent of the construction and payment of a website and then not promote effectively in advertising and promotions ALL INCLUDING the World Wide Web itself.

One can see why people think it would be worth the effort. There are over 55 million top-level domains on the web. There are about 12 billion pages web, with about 10 million per day in the business of web-based hand other is increasing to 15 to 25% compound annual

There are millions of searches web by millions of people every day [See Google Zeitgeist to get an idea of what people are looking -. the other big cats of Yahoo and MSN also has similar pages] Please ignore the fact that the most popular searches are actors and news etc. What do you expect? There are plenty of commercial searches of the current Home 'as well.

Some examples from other UK searches are conducted:

- Generating more than 150,000 times in May 2005 - Builder of Bristol 57 times.

- Fashion over 800,000 times - too many for me to worry that the local dealer. Oh, yes! Click here - features what search engines can do now!

- The hotel was sought by more than 5,000,000 times in May 2005. Bath Hotel was searched for 1652 times, fourth Bath Spa 497 times, 263 times hotel Bath and England Bath UK hotel 228 times and there is a bucket load results in more than 100 searches.

Over 85% of people use a search engine to find your way around the Internet using most of Google, but Yahoo and MSN also has a large number of followers and can not be ignored. There are also thousands of smaller specialized search engines and general and directories that are used regulalry.

If you are not running the search engines, and become familiar with your business marketing pay per click, the construction of their perspective and mailing list customers and use their website to generate prospects that lead to sales, then why bother to have a website?

So I wonder how do for all of this?

It is clear that the obvious answer is to ask to do it!

However, some advice is probably what you want! Therefore:

- Look at your web marketing plan as a long-term effort to grow your site to be the best the most complete (local / regional / national / interactive / Fun / something) of the resources of your product or service.

- Be clear about what makes your site better and more useful to visitors of your site.

- Ensure that each page within your site targets and is optimized for one or two keyword phrases each.

- Use 2-6 word phrases instead keywords in a word and get more targeted visitors as well. Search your top keyword phrases in different search engines to you are aware of the competition and the volume of sites already successfully ranking for the terms you are targeting.

- Use this information to help pay for development Click the campaign.

- Add new information to your site regularly. Resources, tips and notes not only adds value, but of course, do wonders as the pages for specific keywords. Offer type of information they want your product or service and search utility from other sites and you want to link. You must have a well-written content of value, not keyword stuffed ramblings.

- Use the resources and downloads offered to build its database.

Finally, only one other point - not "pass the next day." The technology is fast, but search engines are programmed to provide the most relevant results - that is, realize that longevity is important and hopefully good sites understand that they have to be "tried" to get out of their rankings.

About the Author

To learn about types of customers and customer expectations, visit the Good Customer Service Skills website.

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I own a design agency that offers high quality web design services and graphic. So far we have been more of a B2C business, offering logos, brochures, direct mail, newsletters, websites web, etc. We work with a couple of ad agencies that outsource their creative needs us. It has proved a great asset to these companies because they can pick up the phone and call when needed and take comfort in knowing we can handle whatever they throw our way. Currently, we are changing our approach is more of a B2B design agency. So far, all of our B2C business has always been through word of mouth referrals. I really appreciate any advice would you give people that I can help open new doors to advertising agencies on the need for outsourcing solutions. I'm not talking about outsourcing to India and is ... our talent is 100% American! Thanks in advance! Www.304media.com

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